Automobile radiator cap



Dec. 11, 1928.

' 1,694,771 W. P. DALRYMPLE AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP Filed Sept. 20, 1924 M 2/ mu" 2a l M 3 7 g Patented Dec. 11, 1928.

UNETEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM 1?. DALRYMILE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO GOIR-LEN COMPANY, INC., 013 CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

AUTOMOBILE RADIATOR CAP.

Application filed September 20, 1924. Serial No. 738,938.

My invention relates to radiator caps for automobiles, and particularly those designed to carry an indicator for warning the driver when the water in the radiator gets too hot, or for otherwise indicating the temperature of the water. It has for its object to provide an improved radiator cap that may readily be applied to the screw-threaded nipple usually provided around the filling opening of the radiator, but may not readily be removed, and at the same time will permit of ready access to the filling opening for the introduction of water into the radiator; also to provide certain other improvements in radiator caps which will be hereinafter more particularly pointed out. IVhat I regard as new is set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawing,-

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an automobile radiator adjacent to the filling opening, showing my improved radiator cap in operative position thereon;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of my improved radiator cap, the indicator being shown in side elevation;

3 is a horizontal section on line 33 of Fig. 2 looking up;

Fig. l is a perspective view illustrating the tubular base of the radiator cap;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the lid portion or member of the radiator cap; and

Fig; 6 is a view showing a locking washer employed to prevent the removal of the indicator from the radiator cap after it has been fitted thereto.

Referring to the drawings,6 indicates an automobile radiator and 7 the usual nipple surrounding the filling opening thereof, which nipple is internally screwthreaded in the usual way.

My improved radiator cap as a whole comprises a tubular base 8, an outer sleeve 5) which is adapted to fit snugly and rotatahly over the peripheral. portion of said base. and a lid 10 hinged at the rear to the upper marginal portion of said sleeve so that when the cap is in place it may be swung upward and backward to expose the filling opening of the radiator. This lid is adapted to support an indicator 11 of any suitable description which is securely attached thereto as hereinafter described.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 4, the base 8 is in general, cylindrical in form, and is best made by spinning or stamping a tubular piece of metal to the desired form. The lower portion of said base is reduced in diameter and is provided with a nipple 12 which is externally screw-threaded to screw into the nipple of the radiator. The intermediate portion or barrel 13 of said base is provided with an inwardly projecting annular bead 14 to provide a groove 15 in the outer surface thereof, for a purpose which will be hereinafter stated, and at its upper margin said barrel portion is provided with an inwardly inclined lip 16 on which are formed a plurality of inwardly extending lugs 17 spaced apart at suitable intervals and having their inner margins slightly tapered circumferentially. The taper of said lugs is such that the endsthereof that are in advance when the base is screwed on to the radiator are narrower than the opposite or rear ends thereof. The purpose of these lugs will be hereinafter explained.

As has been suggested, the sleeve member 9 of the cap is adapted to fit over the peripheral portion of the base and to rotate tiereon, and to prevent its removal from the base after it has been applied thereto its inner surface is provided with an annular groove which is adapted to register with the groove 15 of the base when said sleeve is in place, these two grooves complementing each other to form a channel preferably circular in cross-section adapted to receive a wire 18 which serves as a key to lock the sleeve in place on the base and prevent their separation. At the front the sleeve 9 is provided with a small hole 19 which opens into said channel and through which the wire 18 may be introduced, or may be withdrawn to permit the sleeve to be detached from the base, as best shown in Fig. 2. Surrounding said opening the sleeve 9 is flattened and provided with a flange 20 forming a medallion-like setting to receive a jewel 21 which not only forms an ornament for the front of the radiator cap, but also conceals and protects the opening 19. Preferably a disc 22 of rubber or other suitable material is interposed between the marginal portions of the jewel 2'1 and its setting for cushioning the jewel and providing a tight connection around its margins. The jewel is held in place by a spring locking ring 23 which fits tightly within the flange 20.

The upper marginal portion of the sleeve 9 is provided with an inwardly projecting flange 2st which extends over the lip 16 but is separated therefrom suiiiciently so that a gasket 25, preferably circular in cross-section, may be introduced between said parts to hold them in proper relation to each other and prevent rattling, and also to form a water and air tight closure between the base 8 and the sleeve 9. The gasket 25- is of such dimensions that when the sleeve and the base are assembled the gasket is put under sufficient pressure so that it functions properly but does not prevent rotation of the sleeve independently of the base. Said gasket is also arranged to be put under added pressure by the closing and locking oi the lid 10, as hereinafter described. As shown in Fig. l, the sleeve 9 is provided at diametrically opposite points with handles 26 by which it may conveniently be rotated. W hen the cap is in operative position these handles extend transversely of the auto1no bile and the jewel 21 is in front, as shown in Fig. 1. At the rear the sleeve 9 is provided at its upper margin with a pair of lugs 27 spaced apart to receive a boss 28 formed on the lid member 10, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said parts being connected by a pintle 29 whereby the lid 10 is hinged to the sleeve 9 so that it may be swung up and back to expose the filling opening of the radiator.

The lid 10 is circular in form and of suitable dimensions to fit over and close the upper end of the sleeve 9 when said lid is in its horizontal position. At its center said lid is provided with an opening 30 adapted to receive the stem 31 of the indicator 11, said stem being screw-threaded as shown in Fig. 2. The upper surface of the lid around the opening 30 is recessed to form a noncircular and preferably rectangular socket 32 adapted to receive a correspondingly shaped pedestal 33 at the lower portion of the indicator adjoining the base of the stem 31. Preferably a washer 34 is introduced between the pedestal 33 and the bottom of said socket. The purpose of this arrange ll'lllt is to prevent rotation of the indicator relatively tothe lid after the indicator has been secured in position thereon. The indicator is secured to the lid by means of a nut 35 which screws on the stem 31 from the lower end' thereof, and a locking washer 36 which is fitted on said stem between the lower surface of the lid 10 and the nut Consequently when the nut 35 is screwed up tightly the washer is clamped between it and the lid. Said washer is provided with an inwardly projecting tooth 37 and with one or more angularly disposed ears 38 adapted to overlap the peripheral portion oi the nut 35 to compel the nut and washer to rotate together. The washer is made ol hardened steel, so that the ears 38 cannot readily be bent. In. securing the indicator in place, the nut and washer are screwed on the stem 31 together, this being permitted because the shape of the tooth 37 is such that it may follow the threads on the stem. It, however, it be attempted to unscrew the nut, its peripheral faces will press outwardly on the ears 38, thereby causing the tooth 3? to bite into the stem and prevent the washer from being unscrewed. This type of locking washer is not new with me. and therefore is not separately claimed herein. By securing the indicator in the manner described it cannot be removed without breaking oil the ears 38 so as to permit the nut 35 to be unscrewed independently of said washer.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the lid 10 is provided at the front with a downwardly projecting lug 39 which is so placed that when the lid is turned down to its horizontal position it may pass the upper edge of the lip 16 only at points between the lugs 17. Said lug is provided in its outer face with a notch d0 which is adapted to receive any one of the several lugs 17 by rotating the sleeve 9 clockwise to carry said lug 39 into engagement with the lug 17 which lies next to it in that direction. It will be understood, of course, that the lid 10 being hinged to the sleeve 9 rotates with it. The shape of the notch 40 is bestshown in Fig. 5, from which it will be seen that it tapered or wedge shaped, its larger end being in advance when the sleeve 9 is rotated in a clockwise direction viewed from above, so that the shoulder 41 which forms the lower margin of said notch has a wedgin'g action on the lug 17 with which it is engaged to draw the lid down tightly and hold it in operative position. Reverse rotation of the sleeve 9 releases the lid and permits it to swing back out ofoperative position.

Adjacent to its hinge the lid 10 is also provided with a downwardly projecting boss 42 so placed that it lies adjacent to the inner margin 01 the lip 16 and is adapted to engage the inner marginal portions of the flanges 17 at the narrow ends thereof when the sleeve 9 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed from above. The boss 42 is, however, so placed that it does not come into engagement with such lug, until after the sleeve has been turned far enough to unlock the lid. The arrangement is such that by reversely rotating the sleeve 9 to unlock the lid, as soon as the lid is unlocked the boss 42 engages and rides on the inclined inner margin of the adjacent lug l7 and is thereby forced inwardly. withthc result that the lid is swung upward on its hinge. By performing this operation rapidl y or abruptly the lid w ill be thrown u p with sutlicient force to cause it to fly back far enough so that the weight of the indi fdtOl. will overbalanee it and it will remain in its open or inoperative position. It will be seen, therefore, that the operator by grasping the handles 26 and rotating the sleeve 9 and lid 10 quickly in a reverse direction will not only release the lid so that it may be swung back but will also throw it back out of operative position, thereby avoiding the necessity of turning it back by a separate movement. To close the lid 10 it is swung down by hand to an approximately horizontal position, at which time its marginal portions engage the upper portion of the gasket 25 where it is exposed between the lip 16 and the flange 24 of the sleeve 9. By then rotating said sleeve in a clockwise direction, as viewed from above, the lug 39 will be'moved' toward the adjacent lug 17, which will enter the recess lO, so that by furtherrotation of the sleeve the lid will be drawn down tightly and secured in position. In this operation the gasket 25 is compressed to some extent, thereby holding the several parts more tightly together hesides cushioning the lid. By this construction the filling opening of the radiator may be sealed air and water tight, as is desirable particularly where a condenser is used in connection with the cooling liquid in the radiator. The boss 42 also serves to relieve the lug 89 from excessive strain when screwing the base down tightly on the radiator nipple, as well as toward the end of the locking operation, since rotation. of the lid in a clockwise direction relatively to the base 8 in the locking operation causes said boss to move into engagement with the square end of the lug 17 at the opposite side thereof from the corresponding lug which is engaged by it in its lid lifting operation, thereby preventing further rotation of the lid and sleeve 9 in that direction relatively to the base and transmitting the strain to the boss 4-2 rather than to the lu 39. This occurs after the lid has been locked tightly enough intits closed position. This arrangement is advantageous because the boss 42 is favorably located to withstand heavy strains, whereas the lug 39 is not, and therefore said lug may be made lighter than would otherwise be necessary. As :1 guide for the lid during the locking operation, it is provided at its forward margin with a notch 43 which is adapted to be engaged by a rib n formed on the sleeve 9 at the rear of the jewel mounting, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This holds the front portion of the lid against lateral movement at that time, in :ase thehinge should become worn so as to permit sli ht lateral play of the lid.

In applying the cap to an automobile radiator the lid is first closed and locked tightly enough so that rotation of the sleeve 9 in a clockwise direction will cause the base 8 to rotate with it. be screwed upon the radiator nipple by ro tating the sleeve 9. lVhen the base 1s fairly tight, further rotation of the sleeve will tighten the lock of the lid and move the boss 42 into engagement with the wide end of one of the lugs 17, so that the base may be tightened as much as desired without imposing undue strain on the lug 39. If after the cap has been mounted on the radiator the sleeve 9 is rotated in the opposite direction, the base does not rotate with it, assuch reverse rotation of the sleeve disengages the lug 39 from the lug 17 and opens the lid as above described. From the foregoing it will be seen that the sleeve 9 is free to rotate on the base 8 so long as the lid is open, and that the lid constitutes means by which rotary movement in one direction of the sleeve is transmitted to the base for screwing the base on the radiator nipple, during which operation, of course, the lid must be in its closed position. This fea* ture of using the lid as the means for trans-. mitting power to the base is, so far as I am aware, broadly new.

I have shown the base 8 as being provided with external screw threads, but obviously such threads may be placed on the inside to adapt the cap to be applied to radiators having correspondingly threaded nipples. Also, while the cap as illustrated is provided with right-hand screw threads, the parts may be reversed if it be desired to adapt it for left-hand threads.

I have described in detail the embodiment of my invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but it will be understood that my invention is not limited to the specific construction shown and described, except in so far as the specific features of construction are particularly claimed, as it includes generically the subject matter of the broader claims. While I have shown and described the base of my improved radiator cap as adapted for screw-threaded engagement with a radiator nipple, my invention is not limitd to that arrangement, as the base may be otherwise secured to the radiator or may be made a fixed part of the radiator, and the claims hereinafter made are to be construed accordingly.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1.. A radiator cap comprising a base The base may then loo adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, and means carried by the lid and operating by rotation of said sleeve in one direction for locking said lid to the base.

2. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, means carried by the lid and operating by rotation of said sleeve in one direction for locking said lid to the base, and means operated by reverse rotation of said sleeve from the lid-locking position thereof for swinging said lid upwardly.

3. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, an inwardly projecting lug carried by the upper portion of the base, a downwardly projecting lug carried by said lid and having an inclined recess adapted to receive the lug carried by the base when said sleeve is rotated in a clockwise direction relatively to the base, to lock said lid in operative position, and means actuated by reverse rotation of the sleeve relatively to the base for tilting the lid after it has been unlocked.

4. A radiator cap comprising a base a dapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, an inwardly projecting lug carried by the upper portion of the base, a downwardly projecting lug carried by said lid and having an inclined recess adapted to receive the lug carried by the base when said sleeve is rotated in a clock wise direction relatively to the base, to lock said lid in operative position, and a boss carried by the lid and arranged to cooperate with a lug carried by the base to lift the lid atter it has been unlocked by reverse rotation of said sleeve.

5. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening 01 a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged at the rear to said sleeve to swing vertically, a depending lug carried by said lid at the "forward portion thereof, a lug carried by said base and arranged to have wedging engagement with said lug when said sleeve is rotated clockwise relatively to the base, and means adjacent to the hinge ot the lid for swinging the same vertically when the lid is rotated counter-clockwise from its locking position.

6. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged at the rear to said sleeve to swing vertically, a depending lug carried. by said lid at the forward portion thereof, a lug carried b'v said base and arranged to have wedging engagement with said depending lug when said sleeve is rotated clockwise relatively to the base, and cooperating devices carried by said lid and base for preventing further rotation of said sleeve relatively to the base when the lid has beeen locked in operative position. 7. A radiator cap comprising a adapted to be mounted over the filling open ing of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged at the rear to said sleeve to swing vertically, a depending lug carried by said lid at the forward portion thereof, a lug carried by said base and arranged. to have wedging engage ment with said depending lug when said sleeve is rotated clockwise relatively to the base, and a boss carried by the lid and operating to prevent further rotation oi the sleeve relatively to the base in the same direction when the lid has been locked in operative position.

8. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, said base having a plurality of inwardly projecting lugs at its upper margin, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged at the rear to aid sleeve to swing vertically, a depending lug carried by said lid at the forward portion thereof and arranged to be moved into wedging engagement with one of the lugs carried by the base by rotation of the sleeve relatively to the base in a clockwise direction, and a boss carried by the lid and arranged to cooperate with one of the lugs carried by the base to swing the lid vertically when said sleeve is rotated counter-clockwise from its locking position.

9. A radiator, cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, a gasket interposed between the upper portions of the base and sleeve and serving also to cushion the lid when the same is in its operative posi tion, and means actuated by rotation in one direction of said sleeve and lid for locking the lid to the base.

10. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on the base, said base and sleeve having between them an annular channel adapted to receive a wire for preventing separation of the sleeve and base, meanwhile permitting rotation of the sleeve on the base, and an opening in said sleeve leading to said channel for the introduction of said wire.

11. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on the base, said base and sleeve having between them an annular channel adapted to receive a Wire "for preventing separation of the sleeve and base, meanwhile permitting rotation of the sleeve on the base, an opening in the front of the sleeve leading to said channel, and means carried by said sleeve over said opening for concealing and protecting said opening.

12. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling open- .ing of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on the base, said base and sleeve having between them an annular channel adapted to receive a wire for preventing separation of the sleeve and base, meanwhile permitting rotation ot the sleeve on the base, an opening in said sleeve leading to said channel, and means removably mounted on said sleeve over said opening "for concealing and protecting said opening.

l3. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, means carried by the lid and operating by rotation of said sleeve in one direction for looking said lid to the base, and a guide carried by said sleeve and adapted to engage said lid and hold the same against lateral movement during the locking operation,

14;. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, means carried by the lid and operating by rotation of said sleeve in one direct-ion for locking said lid to the base, a vertically disposed rib carried by said sleeve, and a notch carried by said lid and adapted to receive said rib when the lid is turned to an approximately horizontal position for holding said movement during the locking operation.

15. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, and a lid hinged to said sleeve and arranged to form a power translid against lateral and the mitting connection between the sleeve of said base for rotating the base by means sleeve.

16. A adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, and a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically and acting when in its closed position to cause the base to rotate in one direction with the sleeve.

17. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, asleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, means coacting between said lid and said base for locking the lid in its closed position, and a gasket bet-ween the sleeve and the base.

18. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted over the filling opening of a radiator, a sleeve rotatably fitted on said base, means preventing separation of said sleeve and base, a lid hinged to said sleeve to swing vertically, means actuated by relative rotation between said sleeve and said base for locking the lid in its closed position, and a gasket between said sleeve and said base arranged to be compressed by the closure of the lid.

19. A radiator cap comprising a base adapted to be mounted on the filling opening of a radiator, a lid adapted to close an opening in the radiator cap, means connecting said lid to said base, said means permitting rotary movement of said lid relative to said base and permitting hinged swinging movement of said lid vertically, and means operative by relative rotation between said lid and said base for securing said lid in closed posit-ion.

20. A radiator cap comprising a tubular base adapted to be mounted on the filling opening of a radiator, a lid adapted to close an opening in the radiator cap, intermediate means connecting said lid to said base, said intermediate means permitting rotary movement of said lid relative to said base and permitting hinged swinging movement of said lid relative to said base, and cooperating lugs carried by said base and by said lid and operative by relative rotation between said lid and said base for securing said lid in closed position.

21. A radiator cap "comprising a tubular base having a threaded portion adapted for threaded engagement with the filling inlet of a radiator, a lid adapted to close an opening in the radiator cap, intermediate means permanently connecting said lid to said base against unauthorized removal, said intermediate means comprising cooperating parts permitting rotary movement of said, lid ax radiator cap comprising a base ially relative to said tubular base and pergageinent with the lug on said base by the mitting hinged swinging movementof said relative rotation between said lid and said lid vertically relative to said base for coverbase, one of said lugs comprising a wedge 10 ing and uncovering said opening, a lug proshaped surface for exerting a forcible clos- 5 jecting from said base, and a cooperating ing pressure on said lid through the other lug projecting from the inner side of said of said lugs. lid adapted to be rotated into and out of en- XVILLIAM P. DALRYMPLE. 

